Adelaide United head coach Michael Valkanis will know his team will struggle to find a better opportunity to break two winless runs in a single game than Sunday's trip to New Zealand to play Wellington Phoenix.

The Reds have not won in six away games in the A-League, while they have failed to claim victory in Wellington in their past five attempts.

Valkanis conceded this week his team have been in a "coma" of mediocrity when playing away from Hindmarsh - where they have eight victories from 11 games this season - but, with Phoenix bottom of the A-League ladder, Adelaide head to Wellington as favourites.

For Wellington, Westpac Stadium has provided some much-needed positivity over the past two months. All eight of the points Phoenix have earned since December 22 have come at their home stadium.

The will also be bolstered by the return of leading scorer Jeremy Brockie from suspension, though Isaka Cernak is considered a grave doubt to take his place due to a hip complaint.

Adelaide United stalwart Cassio is set to play his 150th match for the South Australian club in Wellington.

Cassio has made 149 appearances across the A-League, AFC Champions League, the now-defunct Pre-Season Cup and the Club World Cup.

With both teams leaky in defence, there should be goals at both ends in Sunday's match.

Wellington have scored in six of their past seven fixtures at home, winning three and drawing twice, and they were unlucky to miss out on a goal in Brisbane last Sunday.

Another positive for Phoenix is that Adelaide central defender Iain Fyfe will be unavailable as he is suspended for the trip to New Zealand.

Daniel Bowles will also be missing, but Evan Kostopoulos returns from injury. New signing Tomi Juric will push for a starting place up front, having scored off the bench in his debut against Sydney FC last Saturday.

It will be the fourth time in as many weeks that the Reds will change their back four and the lack of stability means Adelaide's goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic is being overworked.

But with Wellington seemingly unsure whether they should be playing direct football, synonymous with their head coach Rickie Herbert, or trying the much-publicised possession-based approach desired by the club owners, Phoenix remain disjointed.

This should offer the visiting Reds plenty of goal-scoring opportunities.

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